Letters

Water, water everywhere – and a drop to drink

It is unfortunate that Ian Jack (A nation divided by the weather, 28 November) confines the real issue to his short final paragraph. However, in doing so he reflects the neglect which has characterised political attention to what has been described as "the petroleum of the 21st century". We can be confident of two facts in the next 50 years: massive swaths of land will suffer from a growing thirst from drought and this island will experience a sustained supply of water from rainfall. Surely it is not beyond political wit to put these facts together and recognise an economic opportunity when it falls so emphatically from our skies. The development of sophisticated catchment, conservation and conveyance systems could occupy engineering ingenuity and provide work for millions. As a nation, we would possess a reliable resource of a product for which there will be a permanent demand. This would give us economic security and political clout.

Stewart Dakers

Aldershot

• We know we're in the middle of a really wet spell; there's no need to rub it in by using isobars in the shape of a giant duck (Weather, 28 November).

Guy Callaby

Hastings, East Sussex

• Ian Joyce (Letters, 27 November) expresses concern for the future of Jennings brewery in Cockermouth. Marston's, which owns Jennings, tells me the brewery should reopen by mid-January at the latest. The ground floor of the building has been badly damaged but most of the essential brewing equipment is on the first floor, above flood level. Restarting brewing depends on the power supply being restored. Marston's dismiss media rumours that they will use this as an excuse to close Jennings. So both Ian Joyce and Hunter Davies should be supping Cumberland Ale again soon.

Roger Protz

St Albans

• When the river Ouse flooded Harveys brewery in Lewes in 2000, the fermentation process continued while access to the brewery was impossible and went on for several days longer than normal. Once normal service had resumed, Harveys sold a new, stronger brew – Ouse Booze. Very tasty it was too. Perhaps Jennings could call theirs Cocker Leaky.

John Lloyd

Lewes, East Sussex

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